Shopping Centres in South Africa - Top five picks for the shopaholic in you

As a destination, South Africa is most famous for its safaris. But there are plenty of places all over the country for you to unleash your shopaholic.

1

Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Cape Town

Canal Walk is one of the biggest and most popular shopping malls. It's large, airy, and has plenty of shops and options for you to shop til you drop. If you are seriously interested in shopping, you would need at least two days to completely cover Canal Walk shopping centre. There are plenty of benches, beautiful architecture, and a top notch bakery within the mall to help you get through your shopping spree. However, tourists often find the mall confusing due to its sheer size, and lack of helpful "You are here" maps. Thus, remember the number of the gate you entered from in order to avoid being lost.

2

Lesotho Cooperative Handicrafts

Lesotho was once a background city in South Africa, that no one paid much attention to. However, with AVANI Hotels and Resorts joining the array of high-end Lesotho hotels, the area is starting to attract a crowd. Thus, if you happen to find yourself here, do not forget to pay a visit to Cooperative Handicrafts. A dainty shop that specializes in hats, as is the custom in Lesotho, the staff here is well-trained and quite friendly. You can purchase trinkets to take home for quite a reasonable price at the Cooperative Handicrafts.

3

Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umhlanga Rocks

A large shopping mall that is constantly abuzz with visitors, Gateway Theatre of Shopping is your go-to in Umhlanga Rocks. What sets this mall apart from other though is its wide variety of restaurants and its theatres. There is always something interesting to watch here, and during the season, long queues form at restaurants waiting for a table. They also have a separate area for kids, making it the ideal place to visit if you are shopping with the family.

4

The Mall of Rosebank, Johannesburg

Rosebank is a great place for the whole family to hang out. It has your usual arsenal of branded and non-branded shops, restaurants, theatres, and play areas. When you visit The Mall of Rosebank, make sure you visit the African market on the ground floor. This is where you can find authentic crafts that represent Africa. There is a large selection here, and you can walk around absorbing the culture of the place. If you happen to visit the Mall on a Sunday, make your way to the 3rd floor for the Sunday market. With makeshift stalls and an ambience that is high on activity, you will see what Africa is really about.

5

Irene Village Mall, Centurion

Your first impression of Irene Village Mall is sure to be of confusion, as the first sculpture you see is an upturned cow, with four legs and udders sticking out of the floor. This quirkiness is reflected within the Mall as well, with its collection of well-known shops and several speciality boutiques. The kids are sure to have a ball of a time here, and you can shop with much less hassle than at other larger malls.